The moorish idol (Hawaiian name kihikihi) is the only species in the moorish idol family. It occurs in the Indo-Pacific and tropical eastern Pacific. It reaches 8 inches in length. This species has a striking appearance with broad black bars, a pointed snout, and a high dorsal fin with one long, filamentous spine that gracefully trails behind as it swims.
We often see one or two, but the last time we snorkeled we were surprised to find about a dozen of them travelling together, grazing on algae in shallow water.
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